Species profile
Soft-Shelled Turtle
Apalone ferox
Identify Soft-Shelled Turtle (Apalone ferox) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Soft-Shelled Turtle (Apalone ferox) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 14,494 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, Georgia, and Alabama the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Florida softshells are the largest softshell turtles in North America, with females reaching 24 inches.
- Their shell is covered in leathery skin rather than the hard scutes found on most turtles.
- Females grow up to three times larger than males of the same species.
- They can absorb dissolved oxygen through specialized throat tissue, extending time submerged significantly.
- Their long, flexible neck can reach halfway down the shell, giving them a powerful bite reach.
Where Soft-Shelled Turtle are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Soft-Shelled Turtle
Background
The Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) is a species of softshell turtle native to the Southeastern United States.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Soft-Shelled Turtle article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Soft-Shelled Turtle?
Soft-Shelled Turtle (Apalone ferox) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Soft-Shelled Turtle?
Soft-Shelled Turtle is Apalone ferox.
Is Soft-Shelled Turtle regulated for fishing?
Yes — Soft-Shelled Turtle has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Soft-Shelled Turtle?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Soft-Shelled Turtle along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.